The Canadian Paralympic Committee has proudly announced that esteemed athletes Patrick Anderson and Katarina Roxon will serve as Canada’s flagbearers at the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympics, scheduled for August 28, 2024. This announcement underscores the exceptional achievements and contributions of these athletes to their respective sports and the broader Paralympic movement.

Patrick Anderson, a veteran wheelchair basketball player, is set to participate in his sixth Paralympic Games. At the age of 45, he stands as one of the most successful athletes in the history of wheelchair basketball. Since his debut in 2000, Anderson has medaled in four of his five appearances, achieving gold medals at the Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, and London 2012 Games, along with a silver at Beijing 2008. His outstanding performance in the 2012 London Paralympics, where he recorded 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists in the final match, exemplifies his prowess on the court. Anderson expressed his gratitude for the honor, stating, “This is a big honour and special thing… It is going to be really cool to represent wheelchair basketball on this global stage.”

Katarina Roxon, who has made history as the first Canadian female Para swimmer to compete in five Paralympic Games, made her debut at the tender age of 15 during the Beijing 2008 Games. Her brilliant career includes winning a gold medal in the women’s SB8 100m breaststroke at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, as well as a bronze with the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Now, at 31 years old, Roxon reflects on her journey fondly, stating, “To see where I started out… to be named as one of the flag bearers is such a huge honour and a huge privilege.”

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games promises to be an exhilarating event featuring 22 sports and over 4,400 athletes from approximately 184 delegations. Team Canada will be represented by 126 athletes competing across 18 sports. The Opening Ceremony, to be held in the picturesque locations of Place de la Concorde and the Champs Élysées, will set the tone for the games that will occur from August 28 to September 8.

As the Canadian Paralympic Team prepares for this momentous occasion, the recognition bestowed upon Patrick Anderson and Katarina Roxon exemplifies the spirit of achievement and leadership embodied by these remarkable athletes. Their respective journeys highlight the dedication and hard work of Paralympians in advancing competitive sports and inspiring future generations.

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